CHESAPEAKE — Robert J. “Bob” Kimball of Chesapeake was recently elected Commander of the Ohio American Legion for the 2008-2009 year.

He became the 94th commander for Ohio at the Legion’s recent convention in Dayton. Kimball is a 34-year member of the American Legion and a life member for 17 years of those years.

He earned his eligibility by serving in the Air Force with active duty from 1965-1970 during the Vietnam era as an aircraft maintenance specialist on C-130s.

Kimball is also the first department commander from Post 640, the first from Lawrence County and only the third from the Department’s 7th District, which includes Lawrence, Scioto, Adams, Fayette, Highland, Pickaway, Pike and Ross counties.

He has served as post, county, division and district commander as well as department assistant sergeant-at-arms and a member of the department finance committee for two years.

On the national level Kimball is vice chairman on the emblem sales committee, member of Squadron 640, Portsmouth Voiture 443 40/8 and a life member of DAV Chapter 52.

Kimball is retired from Columbia Gas Transmission Corp. and has been married to his wife, Marsha for 42 years. They have three sons, Rob and Brent, both members of Squadron 640, and Brian, a member of American Legion Post 640, and a veteran of Desert Shield and Desert Storm.